Liver Inflammation Symptoms and Diet

A tea made with milk thistle and dandelion can help treat an inflamed liver.

Reviewed and approved by psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Written by Valeria Sabater

Last update: 15 December, 2022

Inflammation of the liver is a common problem. It’s known in the medical field as hepatomegaly. This critical organ suddenly grows beyond its normal size. This article will cover some liver inflammation symptoms and an appropriate diet for people suffering from it.

It can cause pain and require treatment that your doctor will have to consider on a case-by-case basis. But what are the most common liver inflammation symptoms? Also, what diet can you follow at home to complement your doctor’s recommendations?

Liver inflammation symptoms

If your liver is normal in function and in size, you probably won’t notice it if you press your fingers underneath your rib cage (unless you’re taking a deep breath in, for example). Normally your doctor can use a liver scan to find out whether the organ is inflamed. If it is, you’ll probably start to notice it a whole lot more very soon.

But what about outside of the doctor’s office? What liver inflammation symptoms might you notice in your daily life? Most liver problems start without any symptoms, so it might take a while for you to realize you’ve got a problem. The below symptoms will gradually make themselves more apparent, though, as this organ grows in size.

1. Liver Inflammation Symptom #1 – Pain

Pain resulting from an inflamed liver is usually dull and persistent. It grows little by little, but eventually becomes more intense. You’ll begin to feel it on the right side, so remember: always pay attention to the upper right part of your abdomen.

Pain can reach your lower back, that’s true. But it’ll still be on the right side. You might also feel strong fatigue that never goes away. Even if you try taking painkillers, your relief will only be temporary.

2. Nausea and general malaise

You might lose your appetite if you have an inflamed liver. Foods that are high in fat or cured meats are difficult to digest. You’ll notice that after you eat, your fatigue is worse, and accompanied by dizziness or nausea.

Doctors often say that fatigue and any feelings of illness are more noticeable in the mornings. Remember that your liver, just like your entire lymphatic system, performs essential cleansing functions during the night.

An inflamed liver can’t perform its necessary functions, so the mornings might become the most difficult time of the day for you.

3. Fever

Having a constant, low-grade fever should be a red flag. It’s a sign that you have an infection – some alteration of the body that needs medical attention. Remember that a fever is the body’s natural response to any foreign invasion.

See your doctor to find out what’s causing liver inflammation symptoms.

4. Jaundice

Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin, which can also appear in the eyes. It’s one of the most obvious symptoms of a liver problem or an alteration of its normal function.

But where does that yellow color come from? Bilirubin, a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells, is a clear signal that the liver isn’t cleansing itself like it should. Instead, it’s accumulating substances that should be eliminated from the body.

5. Abnormalities in the stool

It’s never pleasant to pay close attention to what you produce when you’re on the toilet. But it’s necessary to take a pause and check the color of your urine and feces if you suspect a problem. It can say a lot about your health.

If you suddenly notice a lighter color in your stool, you might want to contact your doctor. This could be due to a disease that only a physician can diagnose. It might be a virus or something like hepatitis, which could cause liver inflammation. These things are only some of the many possibilities, so always consult a medical professional.

Diet for treating liver inflammation

• A tablespoon of olive oil with a little lemon juice in the morning is a great way to promote the healing of your liver. It acts as a cleansing tonic that protects and revitalizes this important organ. If you use it on a daily basis, it will reduce inflammation.
• Artichoke water and lemon juice makes for another great daily treatment. Cook two artichokes in boiling water, then add lemon juice to to the water. This should give you about three or four cups that you can drink all day long.

• Beet salad with grated carrots. This gives your body a delicious and natural cocktail of vitamins and minerals that are great for treating an inflamed liver.
• A tea a day: Want to know what the best herbs are for an inflamed liver? Milk thistle and dandelion. You can drink two cups of a tea made with this pair every day – at breakfast and after lunch. Drink it slowly and add a natural sweetener like honey if desired. Milk thistle is available in natural stores, both as a dried herb and in tablet form. It’s always a great option for treating an inflamed liver.